Al Capone Does My Shirts

     Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko is a story about a boy named "Moose" Flanagan and his family. Moose is a nickname his sister gave him. His real name is Matthew. They move to Alcatraz in the 1930's, because Moose's dad obtained a job being an electrician and prison guard in the federal prison. 
     In the beginning Moose becomes resentful for his family being uprooted from their home back in Santa Monica, California. He misses his friends and grandmother. The whole purpose of the move was so Moose's sister could attend Esther P. Marinoff school in San Fransisco. Moose's sister, Natale, has autism. Although it is never stated in the book that she has autism, but it is implied. His parents try several times to enroll her in the school without success. 
     Moose also begins to make friends and adjust to life on Alcatraz, for example he becomes friends with Piper and they start a laundry cleaning business using Al Capone's name. He also comes to accept his sister's differences, and he tries to protect her as much as he can. After several failed attempts to get Natalie in the specials school, Moose is desperate and writes a note to Al Capone. Moose writes him asking Al to help his sister get into the school. She is accepted into a new program for older children at the school. Moose then receives a letter from Al Capone stating "Done".
     I really loved the first paragraph, it set the tone for the book. Moose stated "Today I moved to a twelve acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water". That sentence made me laugh! I knew this book was going to funny, sarcastic, and very much from a boy's perspective. It is something one of my own sons would say! There are several themes that are mentioned throughout the story, they included mental disabilities, peer relationships, child-parent relationships, and general adolescent angst. I would use this book with 5th or 6th grade class. Here is the book trailer I liked the best:

     There are so many online resources to use with this book! An introduction could be a free powerpoint found here. I also located a neat webquest. The webquest is a zip folder. In order to open it, your computer must be able to download and open a zip folder. It has 6 activities that are engaging and can be used in groups, pairs, or independently. I also found a fun free game to play to review the story. All you need is a copier, paper, and pieces to move around the board with. I also found a discussion guide that identifies what level the questions are. Here is a link for ideas on how to create an advertisement for Piper and Moose's laundry business. Instead of using actual shirts, I would use butcher paper. Students can also discuss what life was like on Alcatraz. Here is an online tour that includes former prisoner's tales of life on Alcatraz.
There are other online tours to choose from on youtube, if for some reason you don't care for the music on this link. I also found a really neat scavenger hunt, that students start before they read, so they can build up some background knowledge. I really enjoyed this book and all the resources that can be found free for teachers!